Smarter Travel

Explore Charleston

Expert Tips

Ditch the rental car when visiting Charleston! No car is needed to walk the city's historical boroughs or to explore local shopping, dining or nightlife. Simply stroll or rent a bike. Many hotels also offer shuttles to off-peninsula excursions–your ride to the beach is covered!

Go Ahead and Indulge: Stay in Charleston's Best Luxury Hotels

Yes, you deserve it. So go ahead: indulge your very best vacation dreams with a stay in one of the stunning luxury hotels of Charleston, South Carolina.

Imagine a romantic experience in one of Charleston's quiet luxury inns, like the stately Wentworth Mansion, or such beautifully restored properties as the Zero George Street Hotel or The Restoration on King. If you're in search of unbeatable harbor views or a glimpse of the cityscape, book your room at the Harbourview Hotel, Market Pavilion, or The Vendue.

Stay in the middle of all of Charleston's bustling activity with a weekend at The Spectator Hotel or French Quarter Inn, where luxury service is within an easy walk to all the city's sights. For a hotel set in a courtyard garden, with a fine dining restaurant known for its divine coconut cake, choose Planters Inn on the city market.

When staying in Charleston luxury hotels, expect to experience Southern Hospitality like you never have before. Think afternoon wine and cheese, evening sherry, and expert concierge service to guide your Holy City adventures. By the end of your visit to Charleston, you'll have tasted enough of our historic traditions of fine wine and food, service and charm–we know you'll be back soon.

The grand harbor front building of The Harbourview Hotel lives up to its name, offering guests some of the best water and Waterfront Park views in Charleston from their balcony rooms. The Harbourview, a AAA Four Diamond property, is consistently named as one of Charleston's top luxury hotels, and with good reason: the staff maintains a reputation of top-quality service, and the hotel itself is only a few steps away from some of the city's best shopping, dining, nightlife, and parks. That's what makes this luxury hotel a popular choice for families--every sightseeing activity is located close-by, and kids will love the dock and fountain just across the street.

The grand harbor front building of The Harbourview Hotel lives up to its name, offering guests some of the best water and Waterfront Park views in Charleston from their balcony rooms. The Harbourview, a AAA Four Diamond property, is consistently... Read More

An AAA Four Diamond hotel, the Restoration on King lives up to its name--a modern luxury property that still retains the beautiful 'bones' of its historic structures. Renovated and transformed into a boutique hotel in 2010, The Restoration on King is on the verge of another expansion this year. Expect loft-style rooms in The Restoration, complete with mod-chic furnishings and decor, high ceilings, and gleaming hardwood floors. Part of what makes The Restoration on King so luxurious is its rooftop deck, giving guests a view of Charleston's charming city streets. The service and amenities chime in with a luxurious feel as well, particularly in the form of their picnic basket breakfast, delivered to your room each morning.

An AAA Four Diamond hotel, the Restoration on King lives up to its name--a modern luxury property that still retains the beautiful 'bones' of its historic structures. Renovated and transformed into a boutique hotel in 2010, The Restoration on... Read More

With its location on the corner of East Bay and Market Streets, the Market Pavilion Hotel is ideally poised for those travelers wishing to enjoy all that Charleston has to offer. The luxurious brass revolving doors and bellman are just steps away from much of Charleston's best shopping, restaurants, bars, and galleries. This standard of excellence continues to the beautifully-appointed guestrooms, and up to the rooftop bar and pool, which provides a fantastic view of the peninsula and harbor. As a AAA Four Diamond Hotel, you can expect the staff at Market Pavilion to happily answer all of your questions and needs, while the hotel's restaurant, Grill 225, is one of Charleston's few true fine dining steakhouses.

With its location on the corner of East Bay and Market Streets, the Market Pavilion Hotel is ideally poised for those travelers wishing to enjoy all that Charleston has to offer. The luxurious brass revolving doors and bellman are just steps... Read More

Want to book a room set in a historic garden setting in the midst of Charleston's bustling dining and nightlife scene? You'll want to stay at the popular Planters Inn on the corner of Market and East Bay streets, a classic Charleston structure dating back to circa 1884. Here, guests can enjoy complimentary WIFI, a fresh-baked turndown treat, as well as guestrooms adorned with luxurious touches such as marble bathrooms, Audubon prints on the walls, and comfortable Italian bedding. Perhaps the most notable feature of the esteemed Planters Inn is their in-house fine dining restaurant, Peninsula Grill. This elegant restaurant is famous for its multi-layer coconut cake, as well as its beautiful outdoor dining setting in the garden courtyard.

Want to book a room set in a historic garden setting in the midst of Charleston's bustling dining and nightlife scene? You'll want to stay at the popular Planters Inn on the corner of Market and East Bay streets, a classic Charleston structure... Read More

This fresh, new star of the Charleston luxury hotel scene is located in the heart of the historic Charleston City Market area of downtown. Its proximity to King Street shops, City Market vendor stalls, and more delicious restaurants that you can count make The Spectator the ideal luxury choice for those that want to explore the city on foot. Feel free to cruise the city on one of The Spectator's custom bikes, too--complete with an adorable basket so you can explore in style. This 41-room boutique hotel is styled after the posh 1920s era of Art Deco glitz and glam, with an inviting bar area filled with snazzy jewel tones decor and designs. You'll have no choice but to linger and enjoy what's offered on-site--at least for a nightcap.

This fresh, new star of the Charleston luxury hotel scene is located in the heart of the historic Charleston City Market area of downtown. Its proximity to King Street shops, City Market vendor stalls, and more delicious restaurants that you can... Read More

The French Quarter Inn, one of Charleston's most beloved luxury hotels, is known for its high level of service, attention to detail, and its tradition of Southern hospitality. This 50-room property presents itself as an upscale boutique hotel, without the typical modern atmosphere. Instead, the French Quarter Inn boasts an elegant, Parisian, almost-regal setting that fits its historic surroundings well. The amenities list is nearly endless at the AAA Four Diamond French Quarter Inn, with services such as rose petal turndowns, chocolate covered strawberries, and private in-room massages all on-hand for a romantic experience. Book a room with a balcony for a lovely view of the market district of downtown Charleston.

The French Quarter Inn, one of Charleston's most beloved luxury hotels, is known for its high level of service, attention to detail, and its tradition of Southern hospitality. This 50-room property presents itself as an upscale boutique hotel,... Read More

Situated on a small waterfront street in Charleston's popular historic district, The Vendue's luxurious property caters to the lover of the arts. The Vendue features both international art pieces throughout both common areas and inside each elegant guestroom. What's more, The Vendue also features a full art gallery and artist-in-residence on the premises. All Vendue hotel guests are invited to a nightly wine reception hosted by the GM, and each premium room receives a complimentary decanter of sherry. Guests of The Vendue will also love the location, close to Waterfront Park as well as the Charleston City Market and other shopping and dining options. The Vendue also provides a fine dining option in-house with their Drawing Room restaurant, as well as a lively rooftop bar called The Rooftop at the Vendue.

Situated on a small waterfront street in Charleston's popular historic district, The Vendue's luxurious property caters to the lover of the arts. The Vendue features both international art pieces throughout both common areas and inside each... Read More

This AAA Four Diamond hotel is a longstanding favorite of repeat visitors to Charleston, and with good reason. The Belmond Charleston Place is as elegant and impressive from the outside as it is inside, with luxury shops flanking both sides of the marble-studded lobby, complete with a grand double spiral staircase. The Charleston Place Hotel is a classic example of top-quality accommodations for its luxurious yet comfortable guestrooms, as well its state-of-the-art spa and pool, courtyard cafe, upscale bar/lounge, and fine dining restaurant. For an ultra-luxe experience, request a Club Level Suite on the top two floors. Here' you'll receive private concierge service, continental breakfast, evening cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and more.

This AAA Four Diamond hotel is a longstanding favorite of repeat visitors to Charleston, and with good reason. The Belmond Charleston Place is as elegant and impressive from the outside as it is inside, with luxury shops flanking both sides of... Read More

The dreamy atmosphere of the Zero George property evokes a feeling of staying in another time. At this very popular and conveniently located luxury hotel, guests can book one of 16 Queen, King, and Suite rooms across five historic Charleston buildings, surrounded by restored brick and chic open-air verandas. The Zero George site dates back to circa 1803, with two of the buildings original to the property, while two were moved from just a few blocks away in the late 20th century. Besides its charming antebellum setting, Zero George is made even more luxurious by its attentive concierge staff, as well as its in-house restaurant, which offers demonstrative cooking classes twice weekly.

The dreamy atmosphere of the Zero George property evokes a feeling of staying in another time. At this very popular and conveniently located luxury hotel, guests can book one of 16 Queen, King, and Suite rooms across five historic Charleston... Read More

For the most luxurious yet still truly historic experience in the "Holy City," book a stay at Wentworth Mansion downtown. You won't regret a week or weekend spent here in a quiet residential neighborhood of the Charleston peninsula, just a short walk from nearly all of the city's historical buildings, popular sightseeing, museums, and world-class restaurants. Here at the Wentworth Mansion, you'll be able to treat yourself without ever leaving the property. Indulge in the wide variety of pampering service at their on-premise Urban Nirvana Spa, housed in what was once the mansion stables, or reserve a table at the fine dining in-house restaurant, Circa 1886. Take in some of the best views of Charleston from the rooftop cupola, or relax each morning with complimentary breakfast in the garden courtyard. You can even bring your pooch along for the experience--the Wentworth Mansion Garden Suites are pet-friendly.

For the most luxurious yet still truly historic experience in the "Holy City," book a stay at Wentworth Mansion downtown. You won't regret a week or weekend spent here in a quiet residential neighborhood of the Charleston peninsula, just a short... Read More

Meet Clare Sweeney

A South Carolina native and avid locavore, Clare also ventured abroad to Spain and north to Boston before returning to Charleston and her beloved Lowcountry.